Threats reported at multiple Mid-Missouri schools, Dixon R-1 school district cancels classes following threat to middle school

Editor's note: Language around the custody status of some of the students has been clarified.

DIXON, Mo. (KMIZ)

Threats were reported at multiple Mid-Missouri schools on Thursday, with one school district canceling class as a result.

The Dixon R-1 School District in Pulaski County will not hold classes on Friday after a threat was made to Dixon Middle School.

“On Thursday afternoon Dixon R-I Administration was made aware of a second, more specific, threat to students and staff at Dixon Middle School,” the district wrote on its social media on Thursday evening. “As before, this threat was reported immediately to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department. We are working with law enforcement to identify the source of this threat as quickly as possible. Student and staff safety is our highest priority, and for this reason the Dixon R-I schools will not be in session Friday, September 27.”

The district wrote on Wednesday morning that it had received a threat on Tuesday evening.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department wrote on its social media that it is investigating the threat.

The Pulaski County school district, was one of several districts that experienced threats on Thursday.

Randolph County

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Thursday night that it had detained multiple juveniles in relation to a threat at the Higbee School District.  

The sheriff's office said that it is investigating the possible threat.

On Friday, Sheriff Aaron Wilson said the juveniles were only detained for questioning "in regards to the alleged threats made toward the safety and security of staff and students at the Higbee School District." The juveniles were then released to the Randolph County Juvenile Office which released them to their parents late Thursday, according to Wilson. 

Hallsville

The Hallsville School District wrote in a letter to parents that a high school student was arrested after making a threatening statement.

“At approximately 2:45 p.m., a high school student made a threatening statement against the school while in class. Building administrators were immediately notified, and our School Resource Officer was contacted to assist with the investigation,” the email to parents reads. “The student was taken into custody by the Hallsville Police Department before school dismissal.”

Threats to schools have skyrocketed around the country, including Mid-Missouri, following an early September shooting at a high school in Winder, Georgia. Four students have been arrested in the Southern Boone School District since Sept. 13 in unrelated threats to the district’s middle school.

Check back for updates.